Chain-linking
Joining an old and a new index series on an overlap so history stays continuous.
3 min read · Reviewed September 2026
In plain words
When a statistical office changes its basket or methodology, the old and new series won't match perfectly. Chain-linking splices them together at an overlap point, preserving the direction and size of changes in both series while creating a single continuous history.
Frequently asked questions
What is chain-linking in price statistics?
Chain-linking connects two index series that used different baskets or base years by scaling one to match the other at an overlap period, creating a seamless long-run history.
Further reading